When one studies libertarian literature, one can not help but notice the fact that most of it is Anglo-American. The Ganesha Project is an idea about how to show that there are other roots – traditions, philosophies, folklore, religions – that reflect libertarian values.

     I hope that by examining these other cultural roots, we may be able to show the universality of liberty and help defend against the slander that markets and democracy are merely Western concepts.

     Probably the most important reason is that through this research, we might find ideas that could help save liberty. So it is important that libertarians all over the world develop their own resources – art, traditions and such in order to find common cause for the philosophy of liberty.

     Ganesha, the name chosen for the project, is an East Indian god known as "the remover of obstacles". He is a being that stands on two legs and has the head of an elephant. His two consorts are business and art. One can see shrines for Ganesha in many shops all over Southeast Asia – as well as in Indian-owned shops in Europe and America.

     Gods and Goddesses are ways of expressing powers and virtues and giving them form – as in a statue (like the Goddess of Liberty who stands in New York harbor) and generating awareness of them (altars, ceremonies and myths).

     Myths are also a great resource for those who write fiction, plays and films. They deepen our understanding of religion, history and culture.

     Sometimes legends are based on real persons. Sometimes we may never know whether or not he/she is real (like Robin Hood). But powerful myths can inspire and become not only a part of a country's culture – but the basis for an industry (such as tourism). The Lord of the Rings movies and where they were shot is but one example.

     The idea is to encourage everyone to research their culture to help rediscover traditions and myths that might inspire artists, science fiction writers, filmmakers, philosophers and orators – and get it out to everyone. Resistance to tyranny and bureaucracy, innovators in technology and ideas, or the evolution of markets and other free institutions are just some of the ways these cultural discoveries can be categorized.

     At first this research could be published by Liberty, Reason and be posted on ISIL and other libertarian websites. It may eventually find its way into mainstream and academic media. There could be prizes, conferences and collections published world-wide. Multi-culturalism is hot. Let's use this good trend for liberty.

     Tourism is the world's biggest industry. In order to survive culturally, as well standing out as a tourist destination, every area of the world must focus on its own uniqueness in a way that is attractive to visitors. This is just one way that the Ganesha Project can help.

     This helps in discovering that one's identity is not an anomaly, but part of an unrealized tradition of shamen and wise women; adventurous traders and smugglers; rebels and bards. We stand upon a vast treasure of unknown heroic lore. All we have to do is dig.

     Just one example is David Friedman's research on justice in the anarchist society of medieval Iceland. There is also interesting commentary on how the Iroquois confederation inspired the idea for American limited government. There is very limited knowledge of this even among libertarians – and we know practically nothing of the Orient.

     What I have described here is an idea to develop an arsenal of liberty, involving fiction and other art forms as well as scholarly works, that may eventually grow into substantial on-line libraries and databases with many points of reference for reformers, revolutionaries, film-makers, teachers, etc.

     The first step is easy enough. I would ask those in countries outside the US monoculture to identify films and folklore from their traditions that would be informative and entertaining to libertarians from outside their cultures. Those from the US who have visited or studied other cultures can make suggestions as well.

     After such a list has been collected, translations or subtitles on DVDs can be made and an international libertarian film festival can be organized with these films being available for sale or downloading. Similar events can be done for fantasy and science fiction. We could also network to promote new works done by our favorite filmmakers into established film festivals and other venues.

     Please circulate this and discuss. In the name of the best within us.

     Don Meinshausen is a long-time libertarian activist in the New York area. His article on early movement history recently appeared in Liberty Magazine.